How many leaves before picking??

[kentishgal]

My lettuce and spinach are doing pretty well but Im not sure how big they should be before I start picking leaves to use. Is there a certain amount of leaves they should have or do I wait til they are big bushy looking plants?
(on a side note I actually feel like a proper gardener now there are leafy green things popping up everywhere!!LOL).

[Matt94]

you can take the leaf's at any size - just leave the ones in the middle as this is where you new ones will grow.

[bearded bloke]

If using for "cut & come again" then you can pick them as soon as they reach an edible size (or least ways I do ) just take care not to damage the central new growth,take a few from each plant in rotation for the longest cropping period Enjoy the fruits of your labour

[Moo's Mum]

Great isn't it kentishgal?! This is the first year I've had a proper plot. Before that I just grew a bit of salad stuff in containers. Now my garden is starting to resemble a proper veggie patch. It's making me very happy

[kentishgal]

Well, just had my first home grown meal! Cheese and chive omelette with garden salad (chives, radishes, lettuce and spinach picked from garden!).
Blimmin' gorgeous! You cant beat just nipping out to the back garden and coming back with tasty fresh veg can you??